Network Architect/Engineer Route/Switch & Optical

Job Summary

Join MCNC’s Network Architecture and Management team to help support network architecture-based initiatives and the development of next-generation data-network service offerings to be delivered on the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). MCNC, via its wholly-owned state-of-the-art fiber and DWDM-based optical/IP/MPLS network, NCREN, supports North Carolina public K-12 schools, North Carolina public and private universities and colleges, North Carolina community colleges, healthcare, libraries, state and local government, nonprofit organizations, and public safety, among others.
We've created a dynamic work environment designed to provide our employees the freedom and support they need to achieve great things for the citizens of North Carolina and for their own future. The successful candidate will enjoy a competitive salary (commensurate with experience) and an industry-leading comprehensive benefits package. This is a hybrid work position and will report to the Director of Network Architecture and Management/Chief Network Architect, NCREN.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Participates or leads in the development of data networking/telecommunications service offerings within the MCNC service development framework.
2. Participates or leads in proof-of-concept labs and associated activities.
3. Participates or leads in the support of NCREN operations by:
   • o Ensuring the quality of network device software.
   • o Ensuring the quality of network device configurations.
   • o Ensuring the security posture of network devices.
   • o Ensuring that best current practices for data networking are being followed.
4. Participates or leads in Pre-Sales Engineering activities as required.
5. Participates or leads in the creation of network equipment “bills of material.”
6. Participates or leads in the development of network device capital budgets.
7. Participates or leads in the creation of technical responses to RFPs/RFIs/RFQs/IFBs that MCNC is planning to respond to and/or the creation of technical requirements sections to RFPs/RFIs/RFQs/IFBs that MCNC may issue.
8. Represents MCNC at Research & Education focused events (national and local) as required.
9. Performs other duties as prescribed.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

1. Has a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of experience and education
2. Has 5+ years of progressive experience in data networking in a service provider environment.
3. Has hands-on experience designing data/telecommunications networks and/or developing data network/telecommunications service offerings.
4. Possesses outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
5. Possesses outstanding analytical skills.
6. Can create detailed reports, diagrams, system documentation, white papers, solution briefs, etc.
7. Has significant demonstrable experience with data networking in Internet Service Provider environments.
8. Has demonstrable experience with one or more of the following technologies: Carrier Ethernet (E-LINE, E-LAN), BGP, IS-IS, EoMPLS, VPLS, MPLS Layer 3 VPN, Segment Routing, EVPN, GRE, BGP FlowSpec, etc.
9. Has demonstrable experience with carrier class routers and switches, e.g., Cisco ASR 9000, Cisco 8000, Cisco NCS 540, Cisco ASR 920.
10. Has demonstrable experience with IOS XR.
11. Has demonstrable experience with IOS XE.
12. Has demonstrable experience with Linux/Unix.
13. Has demonstrable experience with scripting languages with an emphasis on network automation.
14. Understands how to engineer solutions within the boundaries of budget and time constraints.
15. Completes assignments on time or ahead of schedule.
16. Is extremely detail oriented, but does not lose sight of the big picture.
17. Is the ultimate team player, but works independently as required and is prepared to be a significant individual contributor.
18. Is comfortable in a dynamic fast-paced environment where priorities change as required to meet customer demands.
19. Must have a valid driver's license and will be required to drive a company vehicle on company business. Pre-employment and annual MVR checks will be required during your employment with the company for this position in order to be approved to drive a company-owned vehicle.
20. Background and sex offender checks will be performed for pre-employment and annually during your employment with the company.
21. This role will be required to adhere to the MCNC Substance Abuse policy, which may include drug/alcohol screening at hire and periodically or randomly during employment.
22. The work location for this position will be hybrid. The successful candidate must live within reasonable commuting distance of the corporate headquarters located at 3021 East Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27713.

Preferred Qualifications/Specialties

1. B.S. in electrical engineering or computer science or related field.
2. 3+ previous years spent with a significant hands-on focus designing data/telecommunications networks and/or developing data.
3. Experience with SD-WAN.
4. Experience with BGP EVPN VXLAN.
5. Experience programming in Python 3.
6. Experience with QoS.
7. Experience with Palo Alto firewalls.
8. Experience with Microsoft Visio.
9. Experience with Spirent (now Viavi) test tools such as TestCenter and CyberFlood
10. Experience with DWDM-based optical networking:
    • o Single mode fiber specifications and characteristics
    • o Fixed frequency filters/passive muxing
    • o Colorless ROADMs
    • o Flex Grid
    • o Coherent DWDM
    • o OTN

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

MCNC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.